Greetings,

 

I am enroute to Friedrichshafen for Ham Radio 2006 and want to give you a brief update on a couple of items.

 

  1. Legislative – As you know, our BPL language is in the House version of the Telecom Bill. We are now focusing on the Senate as they debate their version in the Senate Commerce Committee. As you have probably seen in the news, there is quite a wrangle in the Senate over the telecom bill that involves a number of controversial items. Senator McCain has agreed to introduce our amendment, however due to this situation the draft bill is encountering an opportunity may not present itself in the committee. Therefore, yesterday McCain’s staff contacted Chwat and asked if they are not able to get the amendment introduced in committee, would be open to having it introduced from the Senate floor when the bill comes up for debate. There is some risk in doing this, and it will involve quite a grassroots effort on our part in soliciting letters to 100 Senators for support, but it is an option that Dave and I felt we had to have if things didn’t go well in committee. We posed the question to the Executive Committee yesterday and after some discussion the EC gave the go ahead for Chwat to tell McCain’s staff to plan on introducing the amendment from the Senate floor if things don’t get done in the committee.

 

That is where we are at the moment. The draft bill is still being worked in the Senate Commerce Committee. Even if the Senate doesn’t include our amendment, we still have the House version that will have to be worked out with the Senate in a Conference.

 

  1. There is no news (or even rumors) to report from FCC on when action may occur on the three items we have pending; WT Docket 04-140, License Restructuring, Regulation by Bandwidth. As you have seen there is action from the Enforcement Bureau regarding Manassas, so someone is consuming oxygen over there. We continue to needle them at every corner about our pending items but unfortunately I have no news in this area.

  2. The 2006 Second Meeting of the board is just around the corner. You will have a draft agenda in a few days, however please be aware that what will be proposed is NOT to show up in Connecticut and sit around for two days hearing what we have all been doing for the past six months. We will utilize the consent agenda and work toward completing our regular business during day 1. Day 2 is planned to be utilized for an update of our Strategic Plan. Preparation is being made now for this effort. It will not be a full detailed working with “Bud” like the last one but rather an update. Also, Thursday evening has been reserved for a presentation by the Grassroots Ad-Hoc Committee. In addition, AMSAT has requested, and has been invited to present an update on their work and what their plans are with Eagle. This will occur Friday evening following our dinner and will be a maximum of one hour, no more.

 

So, if you chair a committee, begin working on your reports now. It is imperative that these reports are filed in a timely manner. Yes, I know some of the committees will meet just prior to the board meeting, but that in no way means you have to withhold reporting the work you have done up to this point. Please – start preparing your reports if you have one due.

 

  1. On June 9 and 10 I attended HamCom in Plano, TX. A nice article is on ARRLWeb and accurately describes the event. The new location is very nice and an excellent facility to hold such a convention. Director Butler sent an email to you concerning a National Convention. Please review that and comment if you have not done so already.

 

That’s all for now. I’ll be returning Monday evening. I don’t know if I’ll have email access or not. The last time I was in Friedrichshafen there was none available from this area, however that was several years ago. Attending Ham Radio 2006 this year in addition to me will be Vice President Stafford, IARU President Price, IARU Vice President Elam, and Director Frank Butler (attending own his on expense).

 

My current schedule is attached below.

 

73 Joel W5ZN

 

June 21-26 Ham Radio-Friedrichshafen

July 8-9 IARU HF World Championship - W5ZN

July 20-23 ARRL 2006 Second Meeting, Board of Directors

July 28-30 Central States VHF Society Conference, Minneapolis, MN

August 4-6 WIMU Convention - Jackson, WY

August 10-12 Perseids Meteor Shower - W5ZN

August 18-20 Alabama Section Convention- Huntsville, AL

August 25-27 ARRL New England Division Convention - Boxboro, MA

September 9-10 ARRL VHF Contest - W5ZN

September 16 ARRL 10 GHz & Up Contest - W5ZN

October 7 Executive Committee Meeting (Location TBD)

October 13-15 Pacific Division Convention PACIFICON,

November 4 ARRL Sweepstakes, CW - W5ZN

December 2-3 ARRL 160 Meter Contest - W5ZN

December 12-14 Geminids Meteor Shower - W5ZN

 

2007

January 18-21 ARRL 2007 Annual Meeting, Board of Directors - Hartford, CT

January 27-28 CQWW 160 Meter Contest, CW - W5ZN

May 18-20 Dayton Hamvention – Dayton, OH

July 19-22 ARRL 2007 Second Meeting, Board of Directors - Hartford, CT

July 27-29 Central States VHF Society Conference – San Antonio, TX